A great paramedic resume will take an ailing career and set it on the path to health by getting you that interview and — ultimately — that great new job.
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This resume guide, along with the corresponding resume example will cover the following topics:
- What are a paramedic's duties?
- Best way to write a paramedic resume (tips and tricks)
- The best format for a paramedic resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints.
What does a paramedic do?
Paramedics are first responders trained in emergency medical treatment. As such, they are on the frontlines of the fight against Covid-19 as well as caring for anyone with any other medical emergency. Paramedics are the most highly trained of emergency medical technicians (EMTs), receiving about 10 times the hours of education and are able to provide a higher level of care.
Some of their duties as they respond to emergency calls, according to EMS1, are:
- Supporting patients having heart attacks
- Clearing blocked airways
- Administering IV fluids
- Cleaning and bandaging wounds
- Stabilizing head and neck injuries and broken bones
- Resuscitating drowning victims or others who have stopped breathing
- Performing emergency births
- Assessing health on the scene
- Giving medication
Paramedics arrive at scenes without knowing what they will find and must respond quickly and calmly in high-stress situations. In addition to their medical duties, paramedics provide medical care, advice, and emotional support to patients and their families. They work to provide the highest quality of patient care during their transport to medical facilities.
Paramedics must assess the physical condition and situation of a patient prior to performing treatment. They operate under strict standards and guidelines that aim to protect and prioritize the health of patients. Paramedics also must ensure the safe transport of patients in speeding ambulances. An outstanding resume sample will incorporate all these traits and skills.
Paramedic job market and outlook
If you are a recently certified paramedic or are looking for a new opportunity, you are in luck. In fact, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi offered this assessment: “...our nation’s EMS system is facing a crippling workforce shortage, a long-term problem that has been building for more than a decade. It threatens to undermine our emergency 9-1-1 infrastructure and deserves urgent attention by the Congress.”
Nearly one-third of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel left their jobs in 2020, an American Ambulance Association survey found. Especially if you are looking in rural or underserved communities, job prospects abound. An aging population that needs more medical care also contributes to the growing need. By 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts, there will be 28,600 more jobs for EMTs and paramedics. That’s an 11 percent increase.
What do paramedics earn?
Median paramedic salary varies widely depending on the state where they are employed, Forbes reports. The highest paid work in Hawaii (where the cost of living is high) and earn $56,610. That state is followed closely by Washington ($56,140). At the low end of the scale sits West Virginia, where paramedics earn a mere $29,920, and Alabama ($30,240).
Salary.com reports a nationwide median of $45,875 with a typical range of $41,273 and $51,489.
How to write a paramedic resume
The first step in compiling an amazing paramedic resume is understanding the elements that go into it. Your CV should contain the following components:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
The best resumes go beyond simply filling out these sections and aim for the following:
- Adjustments to meet the needs of each employer.
- A layout that reflects your professional personality.
- Use of keywords and phrases to get past the Applicant Tracking System filter.
Our medical resume examples will give you more ideas for how to achieve this.
Sidestep the ATS
If you apply for a job online, you are entering your information into an ATS that uses algorithms to decide whether your resume is worth passing on to a human. Ensure your best chance by carefully going over the job listing and using the language you find there in your own resume.
Choosing the best resume format for a paramedic
In most cases, we recommend reverse chronological order. Why this resume format? Two reasons:
- Recruiters understand it and can easily find what they are looking for.
- ATS software is designed assuming you will use this format, which makes it easier to input your application.
If you are new to the workforce, a career changer or a veteran, you may want to consider one of the hybrid formats we suggest. Otherwise, stick with reverse chronological order as most of our resume samples do. This mostly affects your work history section.
Resume summary example: The heart of your talents
The summary (aka profile or personal statement) of your paramedic resume introduces your career, touts your greatest achievements and answers the key question: Why should I hire you? All that in 3-4 lines of text while treading the line between bragging and underplaying your skills.
In addition, as a first responder, you have had a tough couple of years. Perhaps the pandemic has left you stressed and overworked as you rush to attend to a grateful but ailing public. (Yes, we thank you.) You may consider addressing how you have dealt with this added stress to show your prospective employer that you have what it takes during extreme situations.
The summary may be the most difficult resume section to write. That’s why you may want to check out these related medical resume samples for more ideas. The healthcare resume example is a good general resource. For ideas on how to word the emotional support piece of your work, try the medical social worker resume example. The CNA resume example may also be of assistance.
Compassionate and dedicated paramedic with three years of experience in healthcare. A recent graduate seeking to use superior skills and knowledge to assist your hospital in a nursing role. Highly regarded skills in providing optimum patient care and carrying out all treatment protocols with sensitivity and precision. Solutions oriented and highly skilled in patient care management and collaboration.
Employment history sample: Your career health
Unless you are new to the workforce, the employment history section of your paramedic resume will take up the bulk of your document. It is here that you detail your knowledge and career successes.
As you develop this section, make sure you are offering highlights that demonstrate that you have the skills your targeted employer wants. Begin each bullet item with a strong action word and follow it up with the results of your actions.
- Provided high quality patient care during critical care ground and air transports.
- Performed assessment, triage, and treatment utilizing guidelines.
- Prioritized care needed for the safe transport of patients.
- Safely utilized critical care protocols from initial contact until patient release.
- Effectively practiced as a clinical and dedicated team member.
Resume skills example: Critical attributes
Paramedics are highly trained medical personnel, so you have many hard skills you want to highlight and that are important to your job. You don’t want to skimp on those, but soft skills may make all the difference between you and another candidate.
An impressive skills section directly targets the requirements for the job, which will also help you get past the ATS gatekeeper. This is no toss-off section; it may be the first place a recruiter looks to make sure your skills match the job at hand so compile your 4-7 attributes carefully. The resume sample text below shows a mix of the hard and soft skills you need to be an outstanding paramedic.
Here are five attributes that make a great paramedic and that you should consider for your skills section:
- Teamwork
- Coping with difficult situations
- Creative thinking
- Mental resilience
- Situational awareness
Source:
- Critical Care Practices
- Analytical Thinking Skills
- Excellent Judgment
- Time Management Skills
- Strong Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Compassion and Understanding
Paramedic CV education example
To become a paramedic, you need 1,200-1,800 hours of classwork and at least six months experience as an EMT. You must also pass a national certification exam. Use the education section of your CV to detail these achievements and any academic degrees you have earned.
If you have any other relevant degrees or certifications, list those here as well. For multiple certifications, consider adding a new section to you CV that is dedicated to those. Below you'll find the education section from our paramedic resume sample.
2008-2012 Hofstra University, Associate of Biology Hempstead, NY
Resume layout and design: First impressions
You’ve done the hard work of wrangling your career into a 1-2 page document, but you’re not finished. The look of your paramedic resume says a lot about you very quickly so make sure you consider it carefully. What impression do you want to give? Professional, organized, neat and efficient? Here are some pointers for achieving that look:
- Keep it streamlined with ample margins and white space
- Avoid getting too fancy with fonts. Your main goal is readability.
- Make sure your contact information stands out.
- Proofread, proofread, proofread and then get a friend or colleague to do it again.
If you don't have time to fuss with the layout and design, consider using a professional resume templates to make this task quick and easy.
Key takeaways for a paramedic resume
- Paramedics are in high demand in part because of Covid, but also due to an aging population’s need for emergency medical care.
- Your compassion and calm under pressure are as necessary as your knowledge of anatomy.
- Personalize your resume to fit each job and overcome the ATS hurdle.
- Check out our paramedic resume sample for more ideas on creating a great page layout.
